Primrose school eyes local area

By Uriah A. Kiser

Published: August 21, 2008

STAFFORD — A new preschool may be on its way to the Stafford County. Officials with Primrose Schools said they have targeted the region as a key development area and are currently looking for a site inside the county to build their next school.

“What we are looking for are parents who are well educated, higher income and have a strong value for early childhood education,” said Paul Tahxton, vice president of brand management with the preschool chain.

Thaxton said his schools are unique because they offer a specially designed curriculum aimed at pre-school and kindergarten-age children. He said the program also enjoys a national accreditation through the Commission on International Trans-Regional Accreditation. CITA provides accreditation to more than
32,000 public and private institutions, according to its Web site.

Primrose markets itself as a leader in educational childcare. Teachers expose children to mathematical, scientific, physical education and social concepts.

No site has been chosen as of yet to build the new school on, but Dineille Hedrick will be ready to open it when they do. She, and her husband Michael, will be the new owner-operators of the new school. Hedrick said she wanted to open the school as a way to spend more time with her children. Her three boys range in age from one to eight. The Montpelier health care professional said that her long hours, coupled with her husband’s two-hour daily commute, were enough to want a change.

“I come from a military family, and we are used to challenges. This one will be no different,” said Hedrick.

Once the school is built she said her family plans to relocate to the area. She said her children would attend the school once it is built.

“We had difficulty finding good child care where we live so we decided to open a facility of our own,” said Hedrick.

Hedrick said that although she has not yet been through the training to properly manage the school, it is in the works. A separate teacher will be brought in to teach while the couple manages the school.

“My husband and I were really sold on the curriculum,” said Hedrick. “Any given day the children in Texas are learning the same things children in Virginia are.”

Thaxton was not able to provide a projected opening date for the new school. The company already operates six locations in Virginia.